He Said, She Said

He Said…
Nick Walker

Based on the novel “The Age of Grief” by JaneSmiley, director Alan Rudolph’s new film, The Secret Lives ofDentists, depicts teeth as a metaphor for a marriage. David(Campbell Scott) and Dana (Hope Davis) are married dentists whowork at the same practice. Everything seems blissful with theirfamily of three young daughters until one day David suspects thatDana is cheating on him with another man.

The film is about whether or not marriage is impossible asDavid, an afraid and inward man, waits for Dana’s supposedaffair to resolve itself in hopes that she comes back to him andtheir daughters. The story shifts between everyday realism andfantasy making the film both dramatic and satirical. Rudolphportrays something often not seen in movies: a convincing look at afamily and marriage going through a crisis.

Denis Leary plays Slater, a Tyler Durden-esque subconsciousfigure to David. Slater turns up as David’s imaginary guestduring family meals, fights and even weekend getaways. He tellsDavid what he wants to hear about his wife and marriage. But Davidis too much of a caring family man to act with such hostilitytoward the family he loves.

Scott and Davis are both excellent as the married couple thatseems to be sleepwalking through their marriage and are afraid tofix any problems. At one point Slater asks David to confront Danaand ask the identity of the mystery man and whether or not sheloves him. But David quietly replies, “I don’t want toknow if she loves him. Because if she does I’ll have to dosomething about it.”

The film doesn’t present the audience with any easyanswers or solutions. I won’t say the outcome of the film butit definitely leaves room for debate and discussion. Ifthere’s any doubt about the quality of Scott and Davis’performances, watch the acting in Camp to reassure you. From theoriginality of the script and the amazing performances alone,Rudolph’s film is a must-see for independent film lovers andit is one of the most ambitious films of the year.

She Said…
Shelley Saltzman

David Hurst (Campbell Scott) is a successful dentist, but onlyin his practice does he care about getting to the root of things.The Secret Lives of Dentists , directed by Alan Rudolph and adaptedby Craig Lucas from Jane Smiley’s novella “The Age ofGrief,” is refreshingly uncategorizable: It’s fallssomewhere between a marital-discord drama and a mystery thriller,but it also has its madcap moments.

In the film David accidentally discovers that his wife, Dana(Hope Davis), is having an affair. David is bewildered by what thisadultery stirs up in his head; it brings danger and intrigue intohis happily ho-hum existence.

The chemistry between Scott and Davis is remarkable andpresumably developed over the course of their previouscollaborations. The two do seem like a married couple –however dysfunctional they may be. The children are also astoundingin their realism.

Whether or not the one has been in this situation, the film doesa subtly effective job of drawing in the audience. Jealousy,paranoia, restraint, and obligation are all part of our lives atsome point or another, whether we manifest them or are subjected tothem.

Like most of Rudolph’s work, this attention to charactergives the film an unusually powerful hold on the viewer, which issomething that plot-driven Hollywood should take notes on.

The attention to realism in the story is however a double-edgedsword. The film spends several scenes charting how each of thefamily members passes along a mystery fever, and then quixoticallyback again (what about antibodies?) The film’s departure frompure realism, the alternate voice provided by Denis Leary’scharacter, provides an entertaining and visually divertingcounterbalance to the downbeat perspective and narration of thedentist.

This fascinating blend of reality, marriage, consequences, andthe imaginary makes The Secret Lives of Dentists a rewarding andrevealing experience.